Translator and Editor: Maru and Aki

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Chapter 17

“Why?”

Oddly enough, his frigid face looked exhausted. Moreover, his unexpectedly honest answer surprised her.

I thought he’d avoid this matter again.

For that reason, Daisy straightened her back and erased the smile she always had on her face.

“A noble was limping on one leg. To be honest, even if he’s not a noble, it doesn’t change the fact that he limps. There aren’t many people who can accept this.”

There aren’t many people, huh? He’s not wrong, but he must have his reason for hiding River so much to the point that there wasn’t even a single rumor about him.

Daisy fiddled with her fingertips and asked.

“…Is this related to your ex-wife?”

“It’s sort of like that.”

Vera Muas. She and Carlyx were tangled in a political marriage. She needed his wealth, and he needed someone to fill the role of wife.

At that time, their marriage was set up by his father, Duke Jean. They naturally gave birth to children to live up to societal expectations. But, she spent more time on things for her own enjoyment than on her children, so he took care of them by himself.

Carlyx described his life story as if it was someone else’s.

‘…How did he end up like this?’

Curiosity flashed through my mind. I knew about his story, but I didn’t really think much about his feelings. I only skimmed through the novel, after all.

He could’ve been frightened or anxious.

‘Is it because he’s the male lead?’

He was perfectly calm, albeit a little sad.

“Vera would sometimes take the children on trips.”

Carlyx recalled the memory that happened not too long ago.

About once a month, his ex-wife would take Luciana or River out. She mostly went out with River rather than Luciana because Luciana took after his foreign appearance.

“…But there was an accident on the way.”

At that moment, Carlyx’s composure fell apart. His eyes trembled as if telling me that he was also an emotional person.

He was not there physically, but the painful memory was so vivid to him.

When the horse shrieked loudly and went rampant, it raised its legs as if it was about to fall backwards.

Everything relevant to the accident was holding him down like a nightmare.

Despair.

That emotion was faintly noticeable on his face, but the darkness permeated his complexion.

“Vera Muas and River. Both were seriously injured. They were on a thin line between life and death.”

Daisy watched Carlyx’s monotonous expression as it gradually fell apart.

Straight posture, clear articulation, and a calm voice. He acted as his usual self, but I could feel his heart breaking as he explained the accident. Besides that, I could see that he was in pain even if he simply recalled the accident.

A human. He was a human, too.

“The shards from the carriage have lodged deep in River’s leg. The doctors managed to remove the shards, but they said it would be difficult for his leg to completely heal.”

“…”

“That’s why River is limping on one leg.”

Carlyx was punishing himself in despair. He genuinely cherished the children a lot. For the first time, he showed her his vulnerable side.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yes. It’s not my fault.”

Carlyx replied calmly. However, Daisy didn’t think he truly believed that.

Silence enshrouded them once again.

Carlyx erased the wry smile on his face. He then looked at the clock and changed the subject.

“Perhaps because Luciana seems to like you, I had small expectations of you.”

So small that he didn’t realize it. No, in all honesty, he was in denial.

However, when Daisy kept asking for an explanation, he couldn’t deny it anymore.

“I think that’s why I got scared.”

Carlyx admitted his feelings. No matter how strange or unpleasant it was, he decided to own up to it so he could make up for the rudeness he had done to Daisy.

“I should have told you, but I didn’t because of that.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

Daisy said in a soothing voice. She knew he didn’t need sympathy or comfort. Due to that, she decided to not act impulsively.

“Let’s do our best.”

A delicate hand was extended in front of Carlyx, who seemed to be exhausted. Carlyx pondered for a while before holding out his big hand. The hands that differ greatly in size were wrapped around each other.

“I’ll look forward to your cooperation.”

It was definitely different from the handshake they had on their first meeting. Their relationship, which started off through a contract, was slightly changed.

***

“I lost again today. Hahahaha.”

Logan, who finished the spar, lied down on the field as he gasped for breath.

Carlyx, you monster. I’ve always wanted to win someday, but after what happened, it feels as though it’s nothing but a dream of mine.

“You’re someone who should never be my enemy. But I won’t give up.”

Logan abruptly clung to Carlyx from behind, but Carlyx firmly pushed him away.

“If you’re going to be like this, just get married already.”

“Hey! How dare you talk about marriage to someone who is not even in a relationship? You can’t do that.”

Carlyx looked at Logan, who was walking towards him yet again, with a murderous gaze.

“You should do that because you’re human. Instead of sticking to me, go stick to someone you’re going to marry.”

“Alright, whatever. But how on earth do I get home now?”

“Ride the carriage. Why are you asking me that?”

“I’m talking to myself! Can’t I do that?! It’s not for you to hear.”

Logan frowned and pouted. This guy disliked small chats, and he couldn’t take any jokes either.

After getting up from his seat, Carlyx immediately started walking towards the mansion. So, Logan hurriedly shouted.

“Stop right there! Stop! Yap!”

“You don’t actually think that kind of spell will work, do you? The kids just went along with you because they’re good kids.”

Logan, in fact, got along well with Luciana and River. To them, he was a funny uncle.

Then Logan grumbled as if disappointed.

“It only works for those with a pure soul, not a mean guy like you.”

“That’s right.”

It’s been a long time since he cared about his image. Even if that wasn’t the case, he was far from being gentle and nice anyway.

“Vera Muas!”

Carlyx stopped his stride at Logan’s exclamation. He then asked in his usual dull voice.

“Have you finished your investigation?”

“Yes. I’ve done everything you asked me to do perfectly.”

“Tell me.”

“Only if you come back here.”

Only then did Carlyx quickly return to where he originally stood.

“Now tell me.”

“Okay. I’ll tell you.”

A cool wind blew as they moved. Logan, who was leaning against a tree, began to explain.

‘Vera Muas.’

After divorcing Carlyx, she returned to her parents’ house. She completely removed herself from society and spent most of her time in their manor.

‘She’s alive.’

I’m aware there’s definitely an after effect from the accident, but all I wanted to know was how she is doing these days.

“Do you have any more questions?”

“No.”

All I need to know is whether she’s alive or dead. That’s all.

And so, Carlyx tried to turn around to leave, but Logan said.

“Do you have any regrets?”

“Regrets?”

Carlyx glanced at Logan with an annoyed expression.

Why did you ask me such a stupid question?

Why in hell would I have such a feeling? I don’t even know her, let alone love her.

Vera Muas wasn’t the worst at the beginning, but she was at the end.

When I talked to Daisy a few days ago, she was considerate about my past and didn’t swear at Vera.

Vera didn’t seem to like the kids that much from the start. Perhaps because of her personality, she was able to fit in the society as his wife in the beginning, but after a while, she started to shy away from society. She even got extremely stressed after meeting my parents.

‘That’s the kind of person she is.’

She didn’t love the children and didn’t even try to love them.

‘She’s a shallow person.’

Avoiding her responsibility and leaving the children.

“I have no feelings for her in the first place.”

Carlyx spoke decisively as if not wanting to be mistaken. Then, he added coldly.

“All I’m curious about is whether she is alive or dead.”

It was due to his guilty conscience and responsibility. Nothing more.

That was the case in the past, and will continue to be so in the future.

***

Carlyx’s schedule changed significantly these days. Only his sparring session with Logan remained the same. Meanwhile, their training sessions increased significantly, so he often mixed up his break and work hours.

Although he did not like the change, he couldn’t help it since the Parisian Empire’s movement wasn’t looking good recently.

‘The First Knightly Orders of Notics will be dispatched first, right?’

Afterwards, it would be the Knight of Manefatral or Zistanter. Had they considered the war strategy, they would have sent the Knight of Zistanter first. But they decided that the bigger picture was more important.

It was familiar.

Carlyx folded the newspaper and browsed for books to read on the bookshelf. When he had finished choosing a book and sat in his armchair, the door suddenly burst open.

“It’s break time, isn’t it?”

After Carlyx took his eyes off the book he was going to read, he glanced at Daisy for a moment. Then, his eyes went back to the book and answered impassively.

“As you can see, yes. So please get out.”

“Please come out. We have somewhere to go.”

Carlyx, who calmly closed the book, glanced at Daisy. Talking to her was meaningless. Even though he clearly told her to get out, she asked him to come out instead.

‘How did she know the exact time for my break?’

If she didn’t, it would be normal because the schedule was messed up.

“Do I have to explain the meaning of ‘get out’?”

“No. In fact, what I’m saying is, let’s do something much more rewarding and fun.”

This stubborn guy. He didn’t even move an inch from his seat after I explained what I meant. From his expression, I could even hear him saying, ‘What kind of crap are you spouting?. But I’m sure that attitude of his won’t last long.

Leaning against the open door, Daisy smiled deeply. She threw a bait out of the blue.

“I promised the kids I would hang out with them today.”

Daisy and Carlyx were both busy, so they played with the children separately. They never appeared together in front of the children.

Not once since the party.

Luciana and River even asked them when they would spend time with them together. Eventually, Daisy made a promise first in order to meet the children’s expectations.

Today, we’re playing with them together.

“If you stay here, you’ll become a liar, a characteristic that you so despise. In a few days, I’m going out, and you’ll be busier, so now’s our only chance to do so.”

You should keep your words.

Daisy gestured to him to get going.

“You shouldn’t be a person who doesn’t keep your promises.”

Now, it was time to leave.

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